"World is tired of Putin" - graffiti at Russia military base in Gyumri, Armenia

This graffiti (in Russian) appeared overnight on the wall of the Russian military base in Armenia's 2nd city Gyumri:

"World is tired of Putin", with the anarchist circle-A next to it and "against all" below.

Iconic undercroft in London's South Bank under threat of 'redevelopment' by retail units

You may think that in London while deciding on redevelopment, construction, they would pay special attention to preserving historic, iconic parts. Partly - yes. But not so much. Few years ago they demolished Astoria theatre for a big transport redevelopment Crossrail  project. I will always remember Astoria: gigs, clubbing, my first boyfriend in London...

Now the so called 'redevelopment' (= relocation, and instead filling the space with even more shops and restaurants) threatens another iconic London place - undercroft on South Bank. A place filled with graffiti, skateboarders. A location for film settings etc.

If you ever been on South Bank, one of my fave parts in London, it would be impossible to miss the undercroft. It has very cool, alternative, counter-culture feeling.

I was there on Sunday, and joined the protest against re-location of undercroft by signing the petition. You may do so online too: petition

Ice graffiti, ice chess + ice sculptures: International Ice Sculpting Festival in London

Was at the International Ice Sculpting Festival in London over this weekend.

I was not particularly impressed with the sculptures per se but I liked the atmosphere: fun and interactive.

And I liked the idea of "ice graffiti" for that very reason.

There was also "ice chess" on offer, although it was not as popular as the graffiti above.

This sculptural composition by French artists was entertaining. Depending on the angle you view it, you get different image, perhaps not what was intended :)

And an ice cross by US team.

I am not posting other pics as they do not look particularly interesting picture-wise.

'Suicide soldier' (graffiti in Yerevan)

*by Garik Engibaryan and Edgar Amroyan, underground pass at Khandjyan-Vardanants crossroad, close to the statue of Vardan Mamikonyan

'Guerilla graffiti' in Yerevan re 1 March 08

*"Nothing Is Forgotten" - via HIMA opposition youth movement

A guide to the wall in Baku: 'Sexual Revolution' or 'Death to Israel'?

*via Frontline Club

Well, not as historic as the Berlin wall, but still interesting one with graffiti across all spectra of political scale. Slogans vary from "Sexual Revolution" and "Our Fatherland is USSR" to "Death to Israel" and "F@#$ Bush!". With an English guide by the members of local OL! movement!.

Armenian neo-nazi get united and organised. Does anyone care?

In December 2008, just before New Year holidays, the Association of Armenian Nationalists was established in Armenia by notorious ultra-nationalist groups and individuals. Among them – Armenian Aryan Order, ultra-nationalist group known for its anti-semitism and homophobia. The declared aim of this newly established union is “bringing together similarly-minded people in Diaspora and Armenia, and the creation of a strong Armenian nationalist organisation”.

They made number of political statements in past, related to current issues; number of hateful speeches to put themselves into headlines. They did even small protest action against Israel over Gaza. Do not get fooled. The rights of the Palestine people are the least they care about. They have different agenda.

True, these groups’ influence seems insignificant for now, and the situation in Armenia is not as dramatic as in Russia where numerous ethnic Armenians, along with other foreigners or non-Russian locals were murdered by neo-nazi. However, prevention is the best way to deal with the problem. Surrounded by significant internal and external problems, more nationalism and intolerance is the least which Armenia needs now. The key to solving many existing problems in our society, as well as those facing internationally is more tolerance and less nationalism.

Any exhibition of hate by these groups or this newly established union should face the strongest opposition of mainstream political forces, civil society and law-enforcement agencies. This is, of course, more like a wishful thinking. Sadly, the reality is different, and at times it’s very difficult to discern voices of our mainstream political parties or civil society representatives from those of neo-nazi. In past, not a single politician, civil society representative or media outlet (one or two exceptions) condemned hateful statements by Avetisyan, head of Aryans.

Interestingly, as head of Aryans mentioned during a press conference yesterday, they will aim to collaborate with similar organisations in neighbouring countries, as well as Europe and... Russia. I wonder what the ‘outcome’ of their meeting with the Russian ‘colleagues’ would be. So far we are aware of only one type of ‘outcome’ after such ‘meetings’.

We do not want instances of hate graffiti and hate speech to evolve into something uglier, do we?


*source of photos: Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2007